" Thankfulness "

 

T H A N K F U L N E S S

Pastor Tom Sexton

"In everything give thanks: for this is the will of GOD in CHRIST JESUS concerning you." 1st.Thessalonians 5:18

Thanksgiving is always in season for the child of GOD. As we celebrate this Thanksgiving, may we be faithful in the truth we have learned from the WORD of GOD.

T   Tell The LORD How Much HE Means TO You

      1st.Chronicles 16:8,  "Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon HIS name, make 

      known HIS deeds among the people."

H   Help Others Along The Way

       Proverbs 31:20,  "She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth

       forth her hands to the needy."

A    Always Say "Thank You" When Others Serve You

       Ephesians 5:20,  "Giving thanks always for all things unto GOD and the 

       FATHER in the name of our LORD JESUS CHRIST."

N    Never Be Unkind Or Hurtful To Others

       Proverbs 10:12  "Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins."

K    Keep A Song In Your Heart & A Smile on Your Face

       1st.Thessalonians 5:16  "Rejoice evermore."

S     Start Each Day With A Prayer Of Thanksgiving

       Psalm 100:4  "Enter into HIS gates with thanksgiving, and into HIS courts 

        with praise: be thankful unto HIM, and bless HIS name."

Gulf Coast Baptist Church

312 SE 24th. Avenue

Cape Coral, FL  33990

Pastor Tom Sexton

(239) 574-1000

    

" I Must Tell YOU This ! "

 

     I KNOW SOMETHING SO WONDERFUL that I must tell you ! It is so vital that it may change your entire future as it did mine. In fact, the decision you make about it will affect you both in this life and in death.

     Let me emphasize that this message is absolutely true, because GOD said it. When GOD makes a promise, you can rest upon it, because HIS promises can never fail. GOD will not make you believe this message, that is your choice but HE will hold you responsible for having heard it.

     It is a very personal message, something you must decide. You must say either, "I will" or "I will not." Here is the message. It is an exact quotation from GOD's WORD, the Holy Bible:

"For GOD so loved the world, that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that whosoever believes in HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life."   John 3:16

     Did you ever hear such wonderful words ? Think for a moment what they say. They reveal three marvelous facts.

[] First, "GOD so loved the world" ! Since you are in the world, HE loved you. If that doesn't astonish you, remember, that when GOD loved you, HE loved a sinner ! The Bible says, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of GOD" in Romans 3:23. If you are honest, you will agree.

     Although GOD loves you, HE still hates your sin. Since GOD is Holy, HE must punish sin. HE must make a holy way of saving sinners. Otherwise, the sinner must pay for his own sins, and that would mean spending eternity in a Devil's Hell. "And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the Lake of Fire." (Revelation 20:15)

[] The second great fact is, "HE gave HIS only begotten SON" ! GOD loved you so much, that HE sent HIS SON to Earth to become a man and die on the cross of calvary, so that you might be saved. "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, . . . For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that CHRIST died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that HE was buried, and that HE rose again the third day according to the Scriptures:" (1st.Corinthians 15:1-2a, 3-4).

     You see, someone must pay the penalty of sin, either you or a sinless substitute. GOD gave HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST, to be your sinless substitute. HE shed HIS blood so that your sins might be put away (forgiven), so that you might have eternal life.

[] And now the third tremendous fact is, "Whosoever believes in HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life" ! Think of it ! GOD gives eternal life to those who believe in JESUS CHRIST. The SAVIOR has "finished" the work. HE has died. HE has risen from the grave, and HE has gone back into Heaven. Now your part is to believe in HIM.

     Repentance simply means that you must agree that you are a sinner, realize that CHRIST has paid the "full" penalty for your sins, then turn to GOD from your sins and receive HIM as your LORD and SAVIOR.

     This is the message which I had to tell you. Now you must make a decision. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the LORD JESUS, and shalt believe in thine heart that GOD has raised HIM from the dead, thou shalt be saved. . .For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved." (Romans 10:9,13)  Will you accept HIM, or reject HIM ? Will you believe on HIM, or refuse HIM ? If you would be willing to turn to CHRIST in repentance and faith, pray this simple prayer or one like it with all your heart:

LORD, I know that I am a sinner, and I believe YOU died and rose again for me. I am trusting YOU to forgive me. Come into my heart and save me. Help me to live for you always. In JESUS name I pray, AMEN.

     Your time on Earth is so very short, but your decision for CHRIST lasts for all eternity. Will you receive JESUS CHRIST as your SAVIOR and be confident of everlasting life ?  The LORD JESUS said, ". . . I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish. . ."  (John 10:28).  Everlasting life is ours when we receive CHRIST as our personal SAVIOR.

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

" The Discipline of Grace "

 

Titus 2:1-15  "But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: that the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the WORD of GOD be not blasphemed.

Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of GOD our SAVIOR in all things.

For the grace of GOD that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and glorious appearing of the great GOD and our SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST; WHO gave HIMSELF for us, that HE might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto HIMSELF a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee."

     Grace is the unmerited, abounding provision of GOD's infinite love directed toward HIS creation; it is the result of the work of the LORD JESUS CHRIST accomplished on our behalf. All that we have, both temporally as well as spiritually, is only by virtue of the gracious and outstretched hand of our loving heavenly FATHER.

     We first experience the grace of GOD when we receive by faith the salvation that "hath appeared to all men" (v.11), that is, the Gospel message offered to mankind. Ephesians 2:8-9 (pictured above) plainly declares that salvation is independent from any works man may do; it is completely by grace. Grace and works are mutually exclusive with respect to salvation (Romans 4:4, 16); GOD's grace cannot coincide with good works, piety, ordinances, or sacraments - HIS grace stands alone. If we trust in something we have to do in order to secure even a part of our salvation, then we are not looking to what GOD has already done. HE has provided through CHRIST the remedy for man's lost condition and eternal damnation. In JESUS CHRIST we have the free gift of eternal life.

     However, we must never assume because we are saved by grace apart from works that GOD condones a lack of "good works" in our life. No we must perform our duty as prescribed by the WORD. The same grace that brought about our salvation (v.11) also teaches us to live a fruitful, godly life that pleases our FATHER (v.12). Today's text lists several of our responsibilities to the LORD and reminds us that GOD's grace will enable us to perform these "good works." The LORD has abundantly provided for our salvation; let us also trust HIM for the grace necessary to live for HIS glory. DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

"GOD's Answers to YOU from Romans "

 

Romans 3:19-25  "Now we know that what things soever the Law saith, it saith to them who are under the Law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before GOD. Therefore by the deeds of the Law there shall no flesh be justified in HIS sight: for by the Law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of GOD without the Law is manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets; even the righteousness of GOD which is by faith of JESUS CHRIST unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD; being justified freely by HIS grace through the redemption that is in CHRIST JESUS: WHOM GOD hath set forth to be a propitiation (sacrificial payment) through faith in HIS blood, to declare HIS righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of GOD:"

     The book of Romans, written by the Apostle Paul, answers several questions that are of prime importance.

Question 1 is: Why does a person need to be saved ?  The answer is clear that all are sinners and under the condemnation of GOD's judgment, including the pagan (Romans 1:18), the moralist (Romans 2:1), and the religionist (Romans 2:17). The whole world stands condemned before GOD: "All the world [is] guilty before GOD . . . For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD" (Romans 3:19b, 23).

Question 2 is:  How is the sinner saved ?  In chapters 4 and 5, we learn that JESUS "was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification" (Romans 4:25). GOD declares the believing sinner righteous on the basis of his or her faith in CHRIST alone for salvation. Peace with GOD results from "being justified by faith" (Romans 5:1).

Question 3 then comes to mind:  What happens after the sinner is saved ? The answer is in chapters seven and eight. While struggles in the Christian life are not uncommon and the old nature still seeks to assert control, GOD is at work in the believer through sanctification. Having been set apart unto GOD in CHRIST, the saint has the assurance of victory and the promise of Romans 8:4 - "that the righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the SPIRIT."

The Final, but no less vital, question is:  Will the sinner remain saved ? Will he be preserved in salvation, assured of never being separated from GOD ?  Paul assures us in Romans 8:38-39 (picture at top of post) that absolutely nothing "shall be able to separate us from the love of GOD, which is in CHRIST JESUS our LORD." Rest in the provision of GOD; HE will keep you safe and secure. JED

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide

Used  with  permission.   www.featoday.org

" GOD Loves YOU ! "

 

"For GOD so loved the world, that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that whosoever believes in HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life."  ~ John 3:16

     This great Bible verse revels four truths from the heart of GOD for all people.

We are loved.

     GOD wants us to know that we are loved. The LORD JESUS said, "For GOD so loved the world. . ." You are part of this world, and GOD loves you. HE gave HIS SON for you, and HE wants you  ". . .to know the love of CHRIST. . ." (Ephesians 3:19).

We are of worth.

     The LORD also wants us to know that we are of worth. We are so dear to GOD ". . .HE gave HIS only begotten SON. . ."

     The Bible teaches us that we are all sinners. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD" (Romans 3:23)

     And sin must be paid for. "For the wages of sin is death. . ." (Romans 6:23a).

     But the Bible also teaches us that ". . .CHRIST died for our sins according to the Scriptures" (1st.Corinthians 15:3). GOD demonstrated HIS love for us, and our worth to HIM, when HE sent HIS SON to die in our place.

     The good news is that the LORD JESUS paid our sin debt in full when HE died on the cross. "For HE hath made HIM to be sin for us. . . ." (2nd.Corinthians 5:21). CHRIST loved us and gave HIMSELF for us as payment for our sin.

     You may ask,  "How can GOD forgive my sin ?" HE can because of what JESUS did.  ". . .While we were yet sinners, CHRIST died for us" (Romans 5:8).

We can have hope.

     GOD wants us to know that we can have hope. JESUS said ". . .that whosoever believes in HIM should not perish. . ."

     Life is fragile, and people are perishing. But CHRIST came ". . .that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10).

     In a world where so many have lost hope, GOD wants us to know that the ". . .LORD EJSUS CHRIST. . .is our hope" (1st.Timothy 1:1).

     HE rose from the dead, and HE said, ". . .Because I live, ye shall live also" (John 14:19).

We can have purpose.

     GOD wants us to know that we can have purpose in life. HE desires that we ". . .should not perish, but have everlasting life."  

     "And this is the promise that HE hath promised us, even eternal life" (1st.John 2:25.

     You may ask,  "How can I receive GOD's promise of eternal life ?

Acknowledge that you are a sinner, "for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD" (Romans 3:23).

Believe that the LORD JESUS died for you, for  "CHRIST died for our sins according to the Scriptures" (1st.Corinthians 15:3)

Call upon the LORD to save you, "for whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved" (Romans 10:13).

     If you would be willing to turn to CHRIST in repentance and faith, pray this simple prayer, or one like it, of salvation:

LORD, I know that I am a sinner, and I believe YOU died and rose again for me. I am trusting YOU to forgive me. Come into my heart and save me. Help me to live for YOU always. In JESUS name I pray, AMEN.

     The LORD JESUS said,  ". . .I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish. . ."  (John 10:28).  Everlasting life is ours when we receive CHRIST as our personal SAVIOR.

Now that you're a Christian:

*  Share your new-found faith with your family and friends (Acts 16:31-33).

*  Identify with CHRIST through believer's water baptism and become part of a local, Bible believing church (Acts 2:41, 47)

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

GULF COAST

BAPTIST CHURCH

312 SE 24th Avenue

Cape Coral, FL 33990

(239) 574-1000

Dr. Tom Sexton, Pastor

www.GulfCoastBaptistChurch.com

" GOD's Message to YOU ! "

 

After being a born again believer for over 40 years, I've heard many preached messages. But, you will never hear a greater message than the one contained in this post ~ GOD's Message to YOU !

THE BIBLE DECLARES . . .

1. ALL HAVE SINNED

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD;" Romans 3:23

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it ?" Jeremiah 17:9

"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on HIM the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:6

THE BIBLE DECLARES . . .

2. SIN'S PENALTY

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of GOD is eternal life through JESUS CHRIST our LORD." Romans 6:23

"And Death and Hell were cast into the Lake of Fire. This is the second death." Revelation 20:14

THE BIBLE DECLARES . . .

3. SIN'S PENALTY WAS PAID

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which ye are saved, . . . For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that CHRIST died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that HE was buried, and that HE rose again the third day according to the Scriptures:" 1st.Cointhians 15:1-2a,3-4

"But GOD commendeth HIS love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, CHRIST died for us." Romans 5:8

"For CHRIST also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that HE might bring us to GOD, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the SPIRIT:" 1st.Peter 3:18

THE BIBLE DECLARES

4. WE MUST REPENT

"For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." 2nd.Corinthians 7:10

"Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our GOD, for HE will abundantly pardon" Isaiah 55:7

If we are truly sorry for our sins and willing

to turn from them, we can be saved.

THE BIBLE DECLARES . . .

5. WE MUST RECEIVE CHRIST

"But as many as received HIM, to them gave HE power to become the sons of GOD, even to them that believe on HIS name." John 1:12

We need to exercise our faith by receiving JESUS as our LORD and SAVIOR. Faith and repentance (turning to GOD from your sin) are both necessary for salvation.

THE BIBLE DECLARES

6. YOU CAN BE SAVED TODAY, IF YOU WANT TO BE

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the LORD JESUS, and shalt believe in thine heart that GOD hath raised HIM from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Romans 10:9

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved." Romans 10:13

GOD LOVES YOU AND WANTS

YOU TO EXPERIENCE PEACE

AND ETERNITY IN HEAVEN

WITH HIM !

I hope you noticed the caption at the top of the post that reads "GOD'S MESSAGE TO YOU." Scripture is GOD's WORD - HIS message to us - and not our "theory." I pray that after reading these passages from GOD's WORD that you believe the message GOD has given to you. HE gives free pardon of sin, and a "know-so" salvation. You don't have to hope that GOD will save you, or hope that someday you will go to Heaven. The Bible says in 1st.John 5:13  "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the SON of GOD; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the SON of GOD."

Do you know where you're going when you die ?

WHAT YOU MUST DO:

1. Admit your need to be saved (I am a sinner).

2. Be willing to turn to GOD from your sin (repent).

3. Believe that JESUS CHRIST died for you on the cross.

4. Through prayer, invite JESUS to come into and control your heart and life (receive HIM as your SAVIOR and LORD).

If you would be willing to turn to CHRIST in repentance and faith, pray this simple prayer or one like it with all your heart:

LORD, I know that I am a sinner, and I believe YOU died and rose again for me. I am trusting YOU to forgive me. Come into my heart and save me. Help me to live for YOU always. In JESUS' name I pray, AMEN.

The LORD JESUS said,  ". . .I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish . . ."  (John 10:28).  Everlasting life is ours when we receive CHRIST as our personal SAVIOR.

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

"Is There Something MISSING in YOUR Life ? "

WHAT IS MISSING ?

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My Friend, are you dead or alive ? Do you ever feel that there is something important missing from your life ? A vital part of your existence that isn't there, and has never been there ? An empty void and longing, deep within the depths of your soul, crying out to be filled ?

If you do not know the LORD JESUS CHRIST on a personal basis, that is the problem. GOD, the GIVER and SUSTAINER of life, is missing from your life. The Bible says that without JESUS CHRIST as your personal SAVIOR, you are "dead in trespasses and sins." (Ephesians 2:1b)

HOW DID IT HAPPEN ?

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In the Garden of Eden, before man's fall, Adam and Eve were alive, that is they were "spiritually" alive. They walked in perfection, and oneness with GOD. "And the LORD GOD commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: BUT of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." (Genesis 2:16-17)

On that day, when they disobeyed GOD and ate of the fruit, they died a "spiritual" death. Sin entered in, and they were separated from GOD. Since then, every one of us has been born into sin. "Wherefore, as by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:" (Romans 5:12)  "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me." (Psalm 51:5)  "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:" (Romans 3:10)  "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD;" (Romans 3:23)  The results of sin are a spiritual death, a physical death, and if you die without JESUS CHRIST, and eternal death. This is eternal separation from GOD in a Devil's Hell fire !

WHAT HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT IT ?

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JESUS CHRIST, the GOD-man, was not a partaker of man's sinful bloodline. HE was perfect, sinless, righteous, Holy, born of a virgin, and GOD in the flesh. "In the beginning was the WORD (JESUS), and the WORD was with GOD, and the WORD was GOD. The same was in the beginning with GOD. All things were made by HIM; and without HIM was not any thing made that was made." (John 1:1-3)  "And the WORD was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld HIS glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the FATHER,) full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)

HE came to seek and to save that which was lost. HE offered HIMSELF the perfect, sinless sacrifice unto GOD, to redeem man from the sin which separates him from GOD.  "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, . . . For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that CHRIST died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that HE was buried, and that HE rose again the third day according to the Scriptures:" (1st.Corinthians 15:1-2a,3-4)

HE came to give life back unto men.  ". . .I AM come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)  "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that hears MY WORD, and believes on HIM that sent ME, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the SON of GOD: and they that hear shall life." (John 5:24-25)

NOW IT IS UP TO YOU !

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My Friend, do you hear HIS voice calling you through these Scriptures ? HE wants to breathe life into you. This receiving of new life from JESUS CHRIST is what HE called being "born again." We see this in the Bible when JESUS tells Nicodemus, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of GOD . . . That which is born of flesh (the first birth) is flesh; and that which is born of the SPIRIT is spirit (the 2nd birth)." (John 3:3,6)

My Friend, Repent ! Turn to GOD from your sin, and embrace the LORD JESUS CHRIST by faith and be born again of GOD. GOD promised in Romans 10:9  "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the LORD JESUS, and shalt believe in thine heart that GOD hath raised HIM from the dead, thou shalt be saved."  When you turn to GOD, the missing link will be found, and the empty void will be filled. You will be one with GOD. HE will be your FATHER, and you will be HIS son/daughter. If you would be willing to turn to CHRIST in repentance and faith, pray this simple prayer or one like it:

LORD, I know that I am a sinner, and I believe YOU died and rose again for me. I am trusting YOU to forgive me. Come into my heart and save me. Help me to live for YOU always. In JESUS' name I pray, AMEN.

You can rejoice with us in this great truth forever, AMEN. "He that hath the SON hath life; and he that hath not the SON of GOD hath not life." (1st.John 5:12)

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie